The Buccaneers return home for Week 3 action. Broncos game The atmosphere between the two teams couldn’t be more different: Denver is struggling at 0-2, while the Buccaneers are coming off a big win over the Detroit Lions to improve to 2-0.
Broncos scouting report. Pewter Report Podcast But here is the full note.
Broncos Key Offensive Stats
- EPA/Play -0.31 28th
- Success rate 27.5% 31st
- EPA/PASS -0.47 29th
- EPA/Execution -0.19 23rd
- 1st Down Pass Rate 51.4% 8th
Broncos’ use of offensive personnel
- 11P (3WR-1RB-1TE) 60.90% 17th
- 12P (2WR-1RB-2TE) 11.60% 25th
- 13P (1WR-1RB-3TE) 7.20% Fourth
- 21P (2WR-2RB-1TE) 4.30% 13th
- 22P (1WR-2RB-2TE) 1.40% 12th
- 20P (3WR-2RB-0TE) 4.30% Second
Run a game breakdown
QB Bo Nix Notes
Broncos QB Bo Nix – Photo courtesy of USA Today
- Rookie Bo Nix is currently 29th among eligible passers with an EPA/dropback of -0.41. He has struggled to push the ball down the field with just six passes of 20+ yards, one of which was a Hail Mary at the end of the game. In the intermediate area of the field (11-20 yards), he is just 20th in passing percentage and last in EPA/dropback.
- One of the issues Knicks has in that area of the field is his tendency to look for dig routes in the middle of the field where the defensive traffic is heaviest. 70% of his mid-range passes are digs or passes to crosses, and he lacks the arm strength or confidence in his ability to hit deep out routes.
- He is often a quarterback who makes one read and checks down – nearly 50% of his short passes have been to the RB, on the ball, on the stick, or to a flat check down after the first read was deemed infeasible – and he has shown little signs of going for a second or third read.
- One thing Nix has excelled at is his ability to avoid pressure: he is the fourth-most pressured quarterback in the league, and despite being pressured 32 times, he has only been sacked four times, ranking fourth in pressure-to-sack ratio.
Office Lady Note
- RG Quinn Miners, contrary to reputation, can be a weakness in pass protection, as opponents will have a hard time keeping him in front of them.
- The line can struggle to maintain a block against exotic games (stunts/twists).
- LG Ben Powers doesn’t have enough foot speed, anchoring, or athleticism to be a net positive in pass protection.
- RT Mike McGlinchey has generally performed well in pass protection, but he can underset and get hit across the face on inside counters. He was placed on IR and will miss the game. Matt Peart will likely take his place, but he has struggled with pad level and footwork.
Recipient notes
- They lack a true third receiver and a guy who can win shallow on designed quick routes.
- Both top options (Courtland Sutton and Josh Reynolds) have high aDOT (10+ yards).
- TE Greg Dulcich is the de facto No. 3. He’s athletic and can win after the catch, but his handle is shaky and he struggles as an in-line blocker.
- Top receiver Courtland Sutton is a guy who gets the ball on the sideline and doesn’t have great matchups with the QB.
RB Notes
- There’s not much room to work with.
- Javonte Williams doesn’t have a lot of vision and can run off the front side of the zone even when the lane is there.
- Both running backs forced several missed tackles, but they were near the bottom of the league in yards after contact.
Suggested Game Plan for the Broncos Offense
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Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Heavy Cover 3.
- Plenty of buzz technique from linebackers (possibly due to rotational positioning).
- Lots of MOFO before the snap and heavy rotation after the snap.
- Post-snap rotation
- In the 3×1, Courtland Sutton is on the boundary and turns the cover heavy to the middle of the field to determine the concept.
- Allowing cornerbacks to use inside leverage on receivers
- Intense shooting zone assault and simulation pressure
- The goal is to pack buzz defenders in unexpected places in the middle of the field so the corners can take pinch dig routes for turnovers, bring in unexpected rushers to challenge the offensive line and confuse the QB, and leave the flat relatively open for quick checkdowns and rallies and tackles.
Broncos Key Defensive Stats
- EPA/Play -0.07 14th place
- Pass rate 45.3% 21st place
- EPA/Pass -0.20 9th place
- EPA/Run -0.08 17th place
- Pressure % 44.6% 2nd place
- Blitz % 48.2% 1st place
- Press time 2.47 seconds 4th place
Defensive Notes
- Most of the blitzes have come from linebackers Alex Singleton and Cody Barton.
- They will use the 2-4-5 nickel and 3-5-3 with three edge rushers.
- CB Pat Surtain will likely be chasing Mike Evans in the slot, with Evans’ condensed splits to the outside allowing Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer to counter the snapping motion.
- CB Riley Moss can turn on corner post routes
- Heavyman Reporting Team
- DL Zach Allen has the ability to create chaos inside and should command most of the double teams.
- A good rotation of edge rushers who can apply pressure in one-on-one situations
- Jonathan Cooper
- Nick Bonitt
- Baron Browning
- DE John Franklin-Myers will operate as a heavy edge, playing a lot of 5T and 4i, and will rotate inside about 25% of the time.
- LB Alex Singleton is a strong player in both run defense and pass coverage.
Suggested game plan against the Broncos defense
Watch the Buccaneers vs. Broncos preview on the Pewter Report podcast
Pewter Report’s Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera spent the majority of Wednesday’s Pewter Report podcast previewing the Buccaneers vs. Broncos game. PewterReportTV YouTube channel.
